India and Indonesia signed a landmark defence agreement for the BrahMos missile system during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Jakarta.
The deal marks a major step in strategic cooperation between the two democracies.
BrahMos, an India-Russia joint venture, finalised a contract with Indonesia’s defence ministry for the supply of the BrahMos cruise missile system. Reports indicate that India will also provide Astra air-to-air missiles. In 2023, BrahMos had been in advanced talks with Indonesia for a deal valued between $200 million and $350 million. The company already has agreements with Vietnam and the Philippines.
Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the presidential palace, where both leaders discussed defence, trade, and maritime security. They also witnessed the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding covering critical minerals, steel, and agriculture.
Indonesia’s Republikorp and India’s Bharat Dynamics signed an additional agreement on air-to-air missile collaboration. The Steel Authority of India and Indonesia’s Krakatau Steel will jointly produce stainless steel slabs in Indonesia.
Prabowo emphasised that cooperation between India and Indonesia would benefit the entire region, while Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean.
The leaders agreed to accelerate preferential trade agreement talks and deepen supply chain partnerships. Modi will continue his diplomatic tour with visits to Australia and New Zealand later this week.
